About
Hello,
I easily could have named my practice “Craig Schlarb, Ph.D. Counseling and Psychotherapy” but chose a name that embodies my expertise and location of my practice….Hence “Bend Mindfulness Counseling.” In varying creative ways, mindfulness is the fundamental healing tool my clients develop to gain greater clarity and confidence, regardless of their initial “problems”.
Bend Mindfulness Counseling (BMC) provides services to those seeking a deeper connection to their source of clarity and inspiration. Counseling services are geared for those with current mindfulness practices as well as those entirely new to the idea of mindfulness and how it practically relates to daily life. There are many ways to describe mindfulness but quite simply it is about developing an intentional non-judgmental curiosity about one’s attitudes, habits and relationships. From this focussed place you learn to overcome obstacles and grow.
As BMC expands it will work to integrate mindfulness into the health and wellness network of local providers as well as the recreational community in Central Oregon.
BMC periodically conducts easy and straight forward research on mindfulness as a means to bolster the evidence base for mindfulness interventions.
Bend Mindfulness Counseling was founded by Craig Schlarb, Ph.D., (LPC OR 3088), (Licensed Psychologist CA (20558), as a means to bring SF Bay Area mindfulness culture, which I was instrumental in, to Central Oregon. I have a BA in Contemplative Psychology from The Naropa University in Boulder, an MA in Counseling Psychology from The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (ITP) and my Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology from ITP in Palo Alto, CA. I also have certificates in Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapy and Therapeutic Creative Expression at the MA Level. I have maintained a psychotherapy and counseling practice since 2000 with adults, children, couples, families, including group therapy and classes. I’ve held various mental health and academic administrative roles over the years, particularly I was the Executive Director of The Transpersonal Counseling Center in Palo Alto. Transpersonal Psychology is the crossroads of psychology and spirituality…essentially helping people make deeper meaning of their life. I have taught and chaired Graduate level mental health curriculums and classes. I have been a supervisor and manager of community mental health programs. Having spoken nationally on the role of Spirituality in psychology and published numerous articles and book reviews on psychology and spirituality. I enjoy various public venues including as a filmmaker and founder of Awakened Nature Films, (meditative nature films with relaxing music and guided imagery).
…and of course, even in Beautiful Central Oregon, the stress and hectic pace of life reaches us even with all our best intentions. I seek to help provide a balance to your life with practical tools for self understanding and personal growth by providing effective tailored/individualized counseling for your unique needs. I am adamant about respectfully meeting my clients where they are in a “client centered way.”
BMC Core Values: Compassion, Honesty, and Clarity.